Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers salary in Colorado
Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers in Colorado earn a median of $93,750 a year ($45.07 an hour), based on BLS data for 120 workers.
Pay ranges from $62,620 for the lowest-paid 10% to $104,590 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $96,710. Colorado ranks 16th of 42 states for petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers pay. There are 0.04 petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.20). The average (mean) salary is $88,890, close to the median.
Pay range for petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers in Colorado
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $62,620 | $30.10 |
| 25th percentile | $78,390 | $37.69 |
| Median | $93,750 | $45.07 |
| 75th percentile | $103,180 | $49.61 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $104,590 | $50.28 |
| Average (mean) | $88,890 | $42.74 |
Half of petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $7,812.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,906.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,605.77 |
| Weekly | $1,802.88 |
| Hourly | $45.07 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $93,750 salary, see how much house you can afford in Colorado at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers salary in cities in Colorado
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $101,600 | 50 |
| Greeley, CO | $93,750 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $124,530 |
| Louisiana | $106,640 |
| Utah | $105,980 |
| Ohio | $105,150 |
| New Jersey | $104,540 |
| Washington | $103,620 |
| California | $103,250 |
| Illinois | $102,890 |
| Minnesota | $101,910 |
| Kansas | $101,880 |
See Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers pay in every state.
Related jobs in Colorado
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $74,200 | $35.68 |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | $51,600 | $24.81 |
| Gas Plant Operator | $98,080 | $47.15 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $81,310 | $39.09 |
| Chemical Plant and System Operators | $62,870 | $30.23 |
| Power Plant Operator | $102,780 | $49.42 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $78,890 | $37.93 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $46,150 | $22.19 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $58,350 | $28.06 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $58,590 | $28.17 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $46,010 | $22.12 |
| Baker | $40,650 | $19.55 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $47,660 | $22.91 |
| Food Batchmaker | $44,900 | $21.59 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 51-8093. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers make in Colorado?
The median salary for petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers in Colorado is $93,750 a year, or $45.07 an hour. Pay ranges from $62,620 for the lowest-paid 10% to $104,590 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers make in Colorado?
The top 10% of petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers in Colorado earn at least $104,590 a year. The top 25% earn $103,180 or more.
What is the starting pay for petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers in Colorado?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $62,620 a year, and a quarter of petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers earn $78,390 or less.
How many petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers work in Colorado?
About 120 petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers are employed in Colorado, not counting the self-employed.